Navigation apparatus

ABSTRACT

A navigation apparatus including a joystick which is adapted for three motions of leaning in a plurality of predetermined directions, rotating about an axial line and being pressed in a direction along the axial line. As a result of these three motions, an operation of this joystick can be provided with a lot of navigation functions, and, as compared with the prior art, the number of switches of a remote controller and an operation panel section can be decreased.

This application is a reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 6,862,520, issued Mar. 1,2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a navigation apparatus which is mountedin a vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art

A Prior art on-board navigation apparatus having a plurality ofnavigation functions of setting a destination, scaling a map, deriving aroute and the like in addition to displaying a present position of avehicle and a surrounding road map has been disclosed in JapaneseUnexamined Patent Publications JP-A 10-122876 (1998) and JP-A 10-197263(1998). The prior art navigation apparatus is equipped with a joystickas an operation device, and the joystick is capable of a leaning motionin a plurality of directions and a pressing motion in a direction of anaxial line of the joystick.

In a multifunction navigation apparatus which utilizes this joystick,which is capable of only the two described motions, the joystick cannotbe provided with a lot of operations. Therefore, a lot of icons forindividual functions are displayed on display means, or a lot ofswitches are needed on an operation panel section. In the case of anavigation apparatus having such a configuration, a user is required tocheck the position of an icon and a switch to perform each function,which is inconvenient. Moreover, the number of parts of an operationpanel and a remote controller is large.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide auser-friendly navigation apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a navigation apparatus mounted in a vehicle.The navigation apparatus according to the present invention comprisesdisplay means; a joystick which is capable of leaning in a plurality ofpredetermined directions, rotating about a predetermined axial line ofthe joystick, and being pressed in (depressed) in a direction along theaxial line of the joystick; and control means for changing a displaystate of the display means according to a motion of the joystick.

According to the present invention, the navigation apparatus mounted ina vehicle comprises display means, a joystick disposed on an operationpanel section or a remote controller, and control means for changing adisplay state of the display means according to a motion of thejoystick. The joystick of the present invention is capable of performingthe following three motions: a leaning motion in a plurality ofpredetermined directions; a rotating motion about a predetermined axialline of the joystick; and a pressing (depressing) motion in a directionof the axial line. Since the number of operations of navigationfunctions given to this joystick increases as a result of the threedescribed motions which the joystick is capable of performing, it ispossible to decrease the number of icons displayed on the display meansand the number of switches located on the operation panel section ascompared with the prior art.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a map isdisplayed on the display means, and the control means rotates the mapwhen the joystick is rotated about the axial line.

According to the present invention, a present position of a vehicle anda road map surrounding the present position of the vehicle are displayedon the display means. When a user rotates the joystick about the axialline, a map displayed on the display means in turn rotates. In the priorart apparatus, the joystick is not rotatable, and hence, the joystick isleaned so as to rotate a map, which makes it difficult for the user tocomprehend an operation. On the other hand, in the present invention,the rotating motion of the joystick is associated with a rotation of themap so that it is easy for the user to operate. As a result, it ispossible to eliminate a sensory gap in an operation of rotating a map.

Still further, the present invention is characterized in that a map isdisplayed on the display means, and the control means changes a scale ofthe map when the joystick is rotated about the axis of the joystickwhile the joystick is being pressed in the direction of the axis.

Still further, the present invention is characterized in that thecontrol means scales up the map from a displayed state when the joystickis rotated to one side about the axial line while being pressed in thedirection of the axial line, and the control means scales down the mapfrom a displayed state when the joystick is rotated to the other sideabout the axial line while being pressed in the direction of the axialline.

According to the present invention, the joystick is also provided withan operation of changing a scale of the map so that, when changing ascale of the map, there is no need to touch or look for another devicesuch as a switch other than the joystick.

Still further, the present invention is characterized in that a map isdisplayed on the display means, and the control means scrolls the mapwhen the joystick is leaned and the control means changes a scrollingspeed of the map when the joystick is pressed in the direction of theaxial line while the joystick is being leaned.

According to the present invention, the user can scroll the map andchange a scrolling speed of the map only by an operation of thejoystick, and as a result, user-friendliness increases.

Still further, the present invention is characterized in that: aplurality of predetermined navigation functions are provided; itemscorresponding to the navigation functions and designating means forselecting and designating, a desired item are displayed on the displaymeans; and the control means shifts the designating means when thejoystick is leaned, and changes a shifting speed of the designatingmeans when the joystick is pressed in the direction of the axial line ina state of being leaned.

According to the present invention, the user can shift designating meansonly by an operation of the joystick, for designating an item showingeach navigation function and can change a shifting speed of thedesignating means. As a result, operability of the apparatus isenhanced.

Still further, the present invention is characterized in that anumerical data inputting mode for inputting numerical data is provided;a cursor for inputting the numerical data is displayed on the displaymeans; and the control means increments and decrements a number on thecursor when the joystick is rotated about the axial line, shifts a digitof the cursor when the joystick is leaned, and fixes in inputtednumerical data when the joystick is pressed in the direction of theaxial line.

Still further, the present invention is characterized in that thenumerical data is a telephone number.

Still further, the present invention is characterized in that thenumerical data is a post code.

Still further, the present invention is characterized in that thenumerical data is latitude and longitude information.

Still further, the present invention is characterized in that thenumerical data is position information, which is encoded position dataof a specific place or location.

Still further, the present invention is characterized in that thecontrol means increments a number on the cursor when the joystick isrotated to one side about the axial line, and the control meansdecrements a number on the cursor when the joystick is rotated to theother side about the axial line.

According to the present invention, the navigation apparatus has anumerical data inputting mode for inputting numerical data such as, atelephone number, a post code, latitude and longitude information orposition information like map code (trademark), and a cursor forinputting numerical data is displayed on the display means. In thisnumerical data inputting mode, when the joystick is rotated by the userto one side about the axial line, for example, clockwise, a number onthe cursor is incremented, and when the joystick is rotated to the otherside about the axial line, for example, counterclockwise, a number onthe cursor is decremented. Moreover, when the joystick is leaned by theuser, for example, to the right, the cursor shifts to a subsequentdigit, and when the joystick is leaned to the left, the cursor shifts toa preceding digit. After ending the input of numerical data by combiningthe operations of leaning and rotating, the user presses the joystick inthe direction of the axial line, whereby the inputted numerical data isfixed. As described above, it is possible, by the use of a singlejoystick, to perform an operation of changing a number, an operation ofshifting a digit and an operation of fixing numerical data, so thatuser-friendliness, and especially, an operation speed increases.Furthermore, an operation of pressing is not required when inputting anumber of each digit, and as a result, it is possible to prevent amisoperation of leaning the joystick by mistake while inputting a numberand shifting a digit of the cursor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other and further objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be more explicit from the following detailed descriptiontaken with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a navigation apparatus of an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a joystick;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the joystick;

FIG. 4 is a simplified plan view showing a configuration of detecting arotating direction of the joystick by the use of a rotary encoder;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an output signal from the rotary encoder;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state where a road map is displayed on adisplay screen of a display;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a road map obtained by rotating the road mapof FIG. 6 by 90° in a counterclockwise direction;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a motion of rotating the road map;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a road map obtained by scaling down the roadmap of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a motion of changing a scale of aroad map;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a road map obtained by scrolling the roadmap of FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a motion of scrolling a road map;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the display screen at a time of selectingand performing a navigation function;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a motion of shifting a cursor;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the display screen at a time of inputting atelephone number; and

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a motion of inputting a telephonenumber.

to DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferable embodiment of a navigation apparatus according to thepresent invention will be described below with reference to the attacheddrawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a navigation apparatus 1 of an embodimentof the invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a joystick 2, and FIG.3 is a plan view of the joystick 2. The navigation apparatus 1 mountedin a vehicle comprises a navigation apparatus body 5 and a display 3(display means).

The navigation apparatus body 5 includes a CD-ROM (compact disc-readonly memory) drive 8, an operation panel section 4, control means 17,and a remote controller light-receiving section 16. The control means 17includes a map drawing section 9, an operation detecting section 10, avideo RAM 14, and an image converting section 15. A maponly disc 6 isloaded to the CD-ROM drive 8, and map data of the map-only disc 6 isread out therefrom by the CD-ROM drive 8. The CD-ROM drive 8 may be aDVD-ROM (digital versatile disc-read only memory) drive. Moreover, theremote controller light-receiving section 16 receives a command signal,which is, for example, an infrared signal from a remote controller 7that is operated by a user. Furthermore, the operation panel section 4is provided with a plurality of switches (not shown) and the joystick 2.Besides, the remote controller 7 is also provided with the joystick 2. Acommand signal received by the remote controller light-receiving section16 is inputted to the operation detecting section 10. The control means17 changes a display state of the display 3 in response to a motion ofthe joystick 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the joystick 2 has an axis portion 18 whichprotrudes from the surface of the operation panel section 4 of thenavigation apparatus 1 and the surface of the remote controller 7,respectively, and a knob portion 19 which is fixed to one end of thisaxis portion 18. The joystick 2 is capable of three motions of: (1) arotating motion about an axial line 20 of the axis portion 18 (in boththe directions of arrows 21a and 21b); (2) a leaning motion in aplurality of predetermined directions about a connecting portion on theother end of the axis portion 18 away from the knob portion 19 (in theeight directions shown by arrows 22a to 22h in the present embodiment);and (3) a pressing (depressing) motion in a direction along the axialline 20, that is, in a pressing direction from one end of the axisportion 18 nearest the knob portion 19 in the direction of the axialline 20 to the other end of the axis portion 18 away from the knobportion 19 in the direction of the axial line 20 (in a direction of anarrow 23, and towards the back side of a paper sheet of FIG. 3).

An operation of the operation panel section 4 or the remote controller 7by the user is detected by the operation detecting section 10.Specifically, a rotating operation of the joystick 2 is detected by arotation detecting section 11 of the operation detection section 10, aleaning operation of the joystick 2 is detected by a lean detectingsection 12 of the operation detection section 10, and a pressing(depressing) of the joystick 2 is detected by a press detecting section13 of the operation detecting section 10.

The rotation detecting section 11 is constituted by including a rotaryencoder 24 which detects a rotation angle in a multistage manner, forexample. The rotary encoder 24 includes a lightproof board 24a andphotocouplers 24b. The lightproof board 24a is formed like a circulardisc, and the lightproof board 24a has a plurality of slits 24c on therim thereof which extend in the radial direction and are spaced mutuallyin the perimeter direction. The photocouplers 24b are disposed near toboth the top and bottom surfaces of the lightproof board 24 so as to bespaced from the lightproof board 24a, and each of the photocouplers 24bincludes a light-emitting element 24d, which emits light toward thelightproof board 24a, and a light-receiving element 24e, which receiveslight from the light-emitting element 24d that passes through the slits24c. In the embodiment, the lightproof board 24a is securely attached tothe axis portion 18. The rotary encoder 24, based on the rotation of thelightproof board 24a associated to the rotation of the axis portion 18,detects either a passage or blockage of light emitted from thelight-emitting element 24d by the use of the light-receiving element24e, and the rotary encoder 24 outputs a pulse signal corresponding towhether there was a passage or blockage of the light emitted from thelight-emitting element 24d. By counting the pulse number of this pulsesignal, a rotating direction about the axial line 20 and a rotationangle of the joystick 2 are detected.

Next, the detection of a rotating direction of the joystick 2 by therotary encoder will be described. FIG. 4 is a simplified plan viewshowing a configuration of detecting a rotating direction of thejoystick 2 by the rotary encoder 24. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing anoutput signal from the rotary encoder 24. FIG. 5(a) shows an outputsignal of a first photocoupler 24b1, and FIG. 5(b) shows an outputsignal of a second photocoupler 24b2. For the purpose of detecting arotating direction of the joystick 2 by the rotary encoder 24, therotary encoder 24 is provided with the first photocoupler 24b1 and thesecond photocoupler 24b2. The two photocouplers 24b1, 24b2 are placed ina position where phases of output signals thereof are displaced by 90°,i.e., so that there is a phase difference of 90° between the respectiveoutput signals of the two photocopiers.

Detection of a rotating direction of the joystick 2 is performed in thefollowing manner. At first, output signal levels of the twophotocouplers 24b1, 24b2 in their present positions are stored, and thenit is detected which of the output signal levels of the photocoupler24b1, 24b2 changes earlier in accordance with the rotation of thejoystick 2. As a result, it is possible to identify a rotating directionof the joystick 2. For example, referring to FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), it isassumed that both the output signal levels of the photocouplers 24b1,24b2 in their present positions are at a Low level. In a case where thejoystick 2 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 4 from the present position, theoutput signal level of the second photocoupler 24b2 changes to a Hilevel, and thereafter the output signal level of the first photocoupler24b1 changes to the Hi level. Moreover, in a case where the joystick 2is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 4 from the present position, theoutput signal level of the first photocoupler 24b1 changes to the Hilevel, and thereafter, the output signal level of the secondphotocoupler 24b2 changes to the Hi level. In these cases, by detectingthat the output signal level of the second photocoupler 24b2 changesfrom the Low level to the Hi level earlier than the output signal levelof the first photocoupler 24b1, it is possible to identify that thejoystick 2 is rotated clockwise. Moreover, by detecting that the outputsignal level of the first photocoupler 24b1 changes from the Low levelto the Hi level earlier than the output signal level of the secondphotocoupler 24b2, it is possible to identify that the joystick 2 isrotated counterclockwise.

The lean detecting section 12 is constituted by a plurality of (eight inthe embodiment) limit switches 25a to 25h which are placed at the sameradial distance from the axial line 20 in leaning directions of thejoystick 2 (arrows 22a to 22h), for example, and when each of the limitswitches 25a to 25h is pressed, a leaning direction of the joystick 2 isthereby detected.

The press detecting section 13 is constituted by, for example, a springreturning limit switch 26, by which a pressing motion in the pressingdirection 23 (rightward in FIG. 2) of the joystick 2 is detected.

As described above, the navigation apparatus 1 of the embodiment isequipped with the joystick 2 which is capable of three motions of arotating motion, a leaning motion and a pressing motion, so that thejoystick 2 can be provided with more operations of navigation functionsthan in a navigation apparatus having a joystick capable of only twomotions of the prior art navigation apparatus. Therefore, the number ofswitches on the operation panel section 4 can be less than in the priorart navigation apparatus. Furthermore, the frequency of checking aposition of a switch when the user performs a navigation function isdecreased, and user inconvenience is thereby eliminated.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, basic map data that is read out from themap-only disc 6 by the CD-ROM drive 8 and the amount of user operationdata of the joystick 2 that is detected by the operation detectingsection 10 are inputted into the map drawing section 9. The map drawingsection 9, based on the respective inputted data, produces adjusted mapdata which are adjusted to a scale and rotating position of the user'srequest, and the map drawing section 9 outputs this produced adjustedmap data to the video RAM 14.

The video RAM 14 is a so-called buffer memory, and the video RAM 14temporarily stores the inputted adjusted map data. The image convertingsection 15 reads out the adjusted data stored in the video RAM 14, andcoverts this to image data to be output to the display 3. Based on theinputted image data, the display 3 displays a map which is adjusted to ascale and rotating position of the user's request.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state where a road map 28 is displayed ona display screen 31 of the display 3. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a roadmap 28a that is obtained by rotating the road map 28 of FIG. 6 by 90° inthe counterclockwise direction. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining amotion of rotating the road map 28. The navigation apparatus 1 of theembodiment is capable of displaying the road map 28 on the displayscreen 31. This displayed road map 28 can be displayed while it is beingrotated about an axial line that is perpendicular to the display screen31. A motion of rotating this road map 28 can be performed only by anoperation of the joystick 2. On the display screen 31, a vehicle icon 40which indicates an orientation and present position of a vehicle and acompass icon 41 which indicates a direction on the road map 28 areadditionally displayed.

In a state where the road map 28 is displayed on the display screen 31,by rotating the joystick 2 about the axial line 20, it is possible torotate the road map 28 displayed on the display screen 31. At thismoment, a rotating direction of the joystick 2 from the view of the usermatches with a rotating direction of the road map 28. In other words,when the user rotates the joystick 2 about the axial line 20 in theclockwise (the arrow 21b) direction, the road map 28 on the displayscreen 31 is thereby rotated in the clockwise direction from the view ofthe user in the state of keeping a relative positional relation with thevehicle icon 40. Moreover, when the user rotates the joystick 2 aboutthe axial line 20 in the counterclockwise (the arrow 21a) direction, theroad map 28 on the display screen 31 is thereby rotated in thecounterclockwise direction from the view of the user in the state ofkeeping a relative positional relation with the vehicle icon 40.Although the compass icon 41 itself does not rotate by a motion ofrotating the joystick 2, a magnetic needle 42 rotates in conjunctionwith the rotation of the road map 28. In such a configuration, acorrespondence between an operation of the joystick 2 and a rotatingdirection of the road map 28 on the display screen 31 is achieved,whereby a sense of incompatibility as in the prior art is eliminated.

Referring to FIG. 8, a flowchart for explaining a motion of rotating theroad map 28 will be described. The motion of rotating the map begins instep s1, and in step s2, it is judged whether a rotation of the joystick2 about the axial line 20 is detected by the rotary encoder 24. Whenrotation of the joystick 2 about the axial line 20 is detected, adirection of the rotation is determined in step s3. When the rotatingdirection is determined to be counterclockwise in step s3, a rotationamount of the joystick 2 is detected in step s4. Subsequently, in steps5, the road map 28 is rotated counterclockwise on the display screen 31by a predetermined rotation amount that corresponds to the detectedrotation amount, and the motion of rotating the map 28 ends in step s8.When the rotation direction is determined to be clockwise in step s3, arotation amount of the joystick 2 is detected in step s6. Subsequently,in step s7, the road map 28 is rotated clockwise on the display screen31 by a predetermined rotation amount that corresponds to the detectedrotation amount, and the motion of rotating the map ends in step s8. Ina case where rotation of the joystick 2 about the axial line 20 is notdetected at step s2, the motion of rotating the map ends in step s8.

Furthermore, a rotation amount of the road map 28 on the display screen31 corresponds to a rotation amount of the joystick 2. As describedabove, a rotation amount of the joystick 2 is detected by the rotationdetecting section 11. For example, the rotation amount of the joystick 2is derived by determining the pulse number of the rotary encoder 24. Inresponse to this rotation amount of the joystick 2, a rotation amount ofthe road map 28 on the display screen 31 is decided. More specifically,an amount obtained by multiplying a rotation amount that is detected bythe rotation detecting section 11 and a unit dot of map drawing is arotation amount of the road map 28 on the display screen 31. The roadmap 28 is rotated by this rotation amount. For example, when thejoystick 2 is rotated by 90° in the counterclockwise (the arrow 21a)direction about the axial line 20 in the state shown in FIG. 6, the roadmap 28a rotated by 90° in the counterclockwise direction shown in FIG. 7is displayed on the display screen 31.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a road map obtained by scaling down the roadmap of FIG. 6. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a motion ofchanging a scale of a road map. Moreover, in the navigation apparatus 1of the embodiment, it is possible to change the scale of the road map 28that is displayed on the display screen 31, and it is possible only byan operation of the joystick 2 to perform this change of the scale ofthe road map 28.

Referring to FIG. 10, a motion of changing the scale of the road map 28will be described. The motion of changing the scale of the road map 28begins in step s11, and when it is detected by the limit switch 26 instep s12 that the joystick 2 is pressed (depressed) in the direction ofthe axial line 20 and it is detected by the rotary encoder 24 in steps13 that the joystick 2 is rotated about the axial line 20, a rotatingdirection of the joystick 2 about the axial line 20 is determined instep s14. When the rotating direction is determined to becounterclockwise in step s14, a rotation amount of the joystick 2 isdetected in step s15. Subsequently, in step s16, a scale amount ischanged so as to scale down the road map 28 on the display screen 31 bya predetermined amount corresponding to the detected rotation amount,and the motion of changing the scale of the road map 28 ends in steps19. When the rotating direction is determined to be clockwise in steps14, a rotation amount of the joystick 2 is detected in step s17.Subsequently, in step s18, a scale amount is changed so as to scale upthe road map 28 on the display screen 31 by a predetermined amountcorresponding to the detected rotation amount, and the motion ofchanging the scale of the road map 28 ends in step s19. In a case where,in step s12, a press of the joystick 2 in the direction of the axialline 20 is not detected and rotation of the joystick 2 about the axialline 20 is not detected, the motion of changing the scale of the roadmap 28 ends in step s19.

In a state where the road map 28 is displayed on the display screen 31,by rotating the joystick 2 about the axial line 20 while pressing thejoystick 2 in the direction of the arrow 23 (the pressing motion), it ispossible to change the scale of the road map 28 that is displayed on thedisplay screen 31. At this moment, in a case where the user rotates thejoystick 2 about the axial line 20 in the clockwise (the arrow 21b)direction while pressing the joystick 2, the road map 28 on the displayscreen 31 is thereby displayed larger than it was previously displayed.Moreover, in a case where the user rotates the joystick 2 about theaxial line 20 in the counterclockwise (the arrow 21a) direction whilepressing the joystick 2, the road map 28 on the display screen 31 isthereby displayed smaller than it was previously displayed. Furthermore,a scale amount of the road map 28 on the display screen 31 correspondsto a rotation amount of the joystick 2.

For example, when the joystick 2 is rotated about the axial line 20 inthe counterclockwise (the arrow 21a) direction while being pressed inthe state shown in FIG. 6, the scaled-down road map 28b shown in FIG. 9is displayed on the display screen 31.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a road map that is obtained by scrollingthe road map of FIG. 6. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a motionof scrolling a road map. In the navigation apparatus 1 of theembodiment, it is possible to scroll the road map 28 displayed on thedisplay screen 31, and it is possible only by an operation of thejoystick 2 to perform this scrolling of the road map 28.

Referring to FIG. 12, a motion of scrolling a road map will bedescribed. In step s21, the motion of scrolling the road map 28 begins,and in a case where a lean of the joystick 2 is detected by the limitswitches 25a to 25h in step s22 and a press (depress) of the joystick 2in the direction of the axial line 20 is detected by the limit switch 26in step s23, where the pressing of the joystick 2 operates so as toincrease a speed of scrolling a road map, the scrolling speed is changedin step s24. Moreover, in a case where a press of the joystick 2 in thedirection of the axial line 20 is not detected by the limit switch 26 instep s23, a speed of scrolling a road map is kept as slow as an initialsetting in step s25. Subsequently, in step s26, the road map 28 on thedisplay screen 31 is scrolled in a leaning direction of the joystick 2at a set scrolling speed, and the motion of scrolling the road map 28ends in step s27. In a case where a lean of the joystick 2 is notdetected in step s22, the motion of scrolling the road map 28 ends instep s27.

In a state where the road map 28 is displayed on the display screen 31,by leaning the joystick 2, it is possible to scroll the road map 28 onthe display screen 31. At this moment, a leaning direction of thejoystick 2 from the view of the user matches with a scrolling directionof the road map 28. In other words, when the user leans the joystick 2in the direction of the arrow 22b, the road map 28 on the display screen31 scrolls upward from the view of the user, and when the user leans thejoystick 2 in the direction of the arrow 22f, the road map 28 on thedisplay screen 31 scrolls downward from the view of the user. Forexample, when the joystick 2 is leaned to the left (the arrow 22a) fromthe view of the user in a state where the road map 28 of FIG. 6 isdisplayed, a road map 28c obtained by scrolling leftward from the viewof the user is displayed on the display screen 31, as shown in FIG. 11.

In addition, by pressing (depressing) the joystick 2 in the direction ofthe arrow 23 in the middle of leaning the joystick 2 and scrolling theroad map 28 on the display screen 31, it is possible to change a speedof scrolling the road map 28. Although a speed of scrolling the road map28 may be decreased by pressing the joystick 2, it is preferable toincrease the scrolling speed. By increasing the scrolling speed, it ispossible to display a road map 28 of a destination faster, wherebyusability increases.

Furthermore, the navigation apparatus 1 of the embodiment has aplurality of navigation functions. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing thedisplay screen 31 at the time of selecting and performing the respectivenavigation functions. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a motion ofshifting a cursor. On the display screen 31, a plurality of icons 29a to29d which indicate items for performing the respective navigationfunctions and designating means such as a cursor 30 or a pointer fordesignating these icons 29a to 29d to perform their respective functionsare displayed. In addition, a sentence 43 which encourages selection ofa title and item of a navigation function is displayed on the displayscreen 31. A motion of this displayed cursor 30 can be performed only byan operation of the joystick 2. Here, in FIG. 13, a chain double-dashedline displayed around the sentence 43 for a convenient description, butsuch chain double-dashed line is not actually displayed on the displayscreen 31.

Referring to FIG. 14, a motion of shifting the cursor will be described.In step s31, the motion of shifting the cursor is started, and when alean of the joystick 2 is detected by the limit switches 25a to 25h instep s32 and a press (depress) of the joystick 2 in the direction of theaxial line 20 is detected by the limit switch 26 in step s33, wherepressing the joystick operates so as to increase the shifting speed ofthe cursor 30, a cursor shifting speed the cursor 30 is increased instep s34. Moreover, in a case where a press of the joystick 2 in thedirection of the axial line 20 is not detected by the limit switch 26 instep s33, a cursor shifting speed is kept as slow as an initial settingof the cursor shifting speed in step s35. Subsequently, in step s36, thecursor 30 on the display screen 31 is shifted in the leaning directionof the joystick 2 at a set cursor shifting speed, and the motion ofshifting the cursor ends in step s37. In a case where a lean of thejoystick 2 is not detected in step s32, the motion of shifting thecursor ends in step s37.

In a state where the cursor 30 is displayed on the display screen 31, byleaning the joystick 2, it is possible to shift the cursor 30 on thedisplay screen 31. At this moment, a leaning direction of the joystick 2from the view of the user matches with a shifting direction of thecursor 30. In other words, when the user leans the joystick 2 in thedirection of the arrow 22b, the cursor 30 on the display screen 31shifts upward from the view of the user. For example, in the exampleshown in FIG. 13, the cursor 30 shifts to the icon 29a above the icon29b. Moreover, when the user leans the joystick 2 in the direction ofthe arrow 22f, the cursor 30 on the display screen 31 shifts downwardfrom the view of the user. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 13,the cursor 30 shifts to the icon 29c below the icon 29b.

Besides, by pressing (depressing) the joystick 2 in the direction of thearrow 23 in the middle of leaning the joystick 2 and shifting the cursor30 on the display screen 31, it is possible to change a shifting speedof the cursor 30. Although a shifting speed of the cursor 30 may bedecreased by pressing the joystick 2, it is preferable to increase theshifting speed. By increasing a shifting speed of the cursor 30 asdescribed above, it is possible to make the cursor 30 reach an icon ofan aimed item faster, whereby usability increases.

Furthermore, the navigation apparatus 1 of the invention has a functionof searching the best route to a destination on the basis of a telephonenumber, post code and latitude and longitude information of adestination, and map code (trademark), which is encoded position data ofa specific place. Also regarding numerical data of the telephone number,post code, latitude and longitude information, map code and so on, it ispossible to input this information only by an operation of the joystick2 that is capable of the three above-described motions. FIG. 15 is adiagram showing the display screen 31 at the time of inputting atelephone number. FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a motion ofinputting a telephone number.

On the display screen 31, for example, a plurality of blocks 32a to 32jwhich correspond to individual digits of a telephone number and a cursor33 which represents a state of allowing an input are displayed. On thedisplay screen 31, a sentence 44 which encourages the input of numericaldata corresponding to an item selected on the display screen 31 of FIG.13 is displayed. Here, in FIG. 15, a chain double-dashed line isdisplayed around the sentence 44 for a convenient description, but suchchain doubled-dashed line is not actually displayed on the displayscreen 31.

Referring to FIG. 16, a motion of inputting a telephone number will bedescribed. In step s41, the motion of inputting a telephone numberbegins, and when a lean of the joystick 2 is detected by the limitswitches 25a to 25h in step s42, it is determined at step s43 whether aleaning direction is rightward or leftward. When a lean of the joystick2 is leftward, the cursor 33 on the display screen 31 shifts to a blockwhich corresponds to a digit to the left of a digit where the cursorpresently exists in step s44. Moreover, when a lean of the joystick 2 isrightward, the cursor 33 on the display screen 31 shifts to a blockwhich corresponds to a digit to the right of a digit where the cursorpresently exists in step s45.

When a lean of the joystick 2 is not detected in step s42, or after thecursor 33 shifts in steps s44 and s45, it is determined in step s46whether rotation of the joystick 2 about the axial line 20 is detectedby the rotary encoder 24. When rotation of the joystick 2 is detected, arotating direction of the joystick 2 is determined in step s47. When therotation direction is determined to be counterclockwise in step s47, anumber displayed in the block 32 where the cursor 33 exists isdecremented in step s48. Moreover, when the rotating direction isdetermined to be counterclockwise, a number displayed in the block 32where the cursor 33 exists is incremented in step 549.

In a case where a press (depress) of the joystick 2 in the direction ofthe axial line 20 is detected by the limit switch 26 in step s50 when arotation of the joystick 2 is not detected in step s46, or after anumber is decremented or incremented in steps s48, s49, respectively,the input of a telephone number is fixed in step s51, and the motion ofinputting a telephone number ends in step s52.

In a state where the individual blocks 32 and the cursor 33 aredisplayed in this manner, by rotating the joystick 2 about the axialline 20, it is possible to increment and decrement a number on thecursor 33 between 0 and 9. At this moment, each time when the userrotates the joystick 2 by 36° about the axial line 20 in the clockwise(the arrow 21b) direction, a number obtained by incrementing thedisplayed number by one is displayed. Moreover, each time when the userrotates the joystick 2 by 36° about the axial line 20 in thecounterclockwise (the arrow 21a) direction, a number obtained bydecrementing the displayed number by one is displayed. In a case wherethe joystick 2 is rotated clockwise about the axial line 20 when anumber on the cursor 33 is ‘9’, a process of incrementing the displayednumber by one is not performed, and ‘9’ remains displayed or ‘0’ isdisplayed. Moreover, in a case where the joystick 2 is rotatedcounterclockwise about the axial line 20 when a number on the cursor 33is ‘0’, a process of decrementing the displayed number by one is notperformed, and ‘0’ remains displayed or ‘9’ is displayed.

Furthermore, by leaning the joystick 2 at the time of inputting atelephone number, it is possible to shift the digit of the cursor 33. Atthis moment, a leaning direction of the joystick 2 matches with ashifting direction of the cursor 33. For example, when the joystick 2 isleaned to the right from the view of the user (a direction of the arrow22h), the cursor 33 shifts to the block 32f on the right side from theview of the user. Moreover, when the joystick 2 is leaned to the leftfrom the view of the user (a direction of the arrow 22d), the cursor 33shifts to the block 32d on the left side from the view of the user. In acase where the joystick 2 is leaned further leftward when the cursor 33exists on the leftmost block 32a, the cursor 33 remains on the block 32aor shifts to the block 32j. Moreover, in a case where the joystick 2 isleaned further rightward when the cursor 33 exists on the rightmostblock 32j, the cursor 33 remains on the block 32j or shifts to the block32a.

After combining the operations of leaning and rotating the joystick 2described above and ending the input of a telephone number, by pressing(depressing) the joystick 2 in the pressing direction 23, the inputtedtelephone number is fixed. When a telephone number is fixed in thismanner, a route to a destination of this telephone number is searchedfor.

As described above, an operation of changing a number on each digit ofnumerical data such as a telephone number, a post code, latitude andlongitude information and a map code, an operation of shifting a digitof the cursor 33, and an operation of fixing the inputted numerical datacan be performed only by an operation of the joystick 2, which resultsin an increased operation speed. Furthermore, when inputting a number ofeach digit, it is not necessary to perform a pressing operation asrequired in the prior art, whereby it is possible to prevent amisoperation of leaning a joystick by mistake while inputting a numberand thereby shifting a cursor to another digit.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Thepresent embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive. Further, the scope of the presentinvention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by theforegoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning andthe range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to beembraced therein.

According to the present invention, a joystick which is capable of thethree motions of leaning in a plurality of predetermined directions,rotating about an axial line and being pressed (depressed) in thedirection of the axial line is disclosed. Accordingly, it is possible toprovide operations of this joystick with a lot of navigation functions,and, as compared with the prior art, it is possible to decrease thenumber of switches of a remote controller and an operation panelsection.

Further, according to the present invention, by rotating the joystickabout the axial line of the joystick, a map displayed on display meansrotates so that it is possible to eliminate a sense of incompatibilityin an operation of rotating a map.

Still further, according to the present invention, the joystick isprovided with an operation of changing a scale of a map so that there isno need to touch another operation device (e.g., a switch) other thanthe joystick.

Still further, according to the present invention, it is possible, onlyby an operation of the joystick to scroll a map and change a scrollingspeed of a map so that user-friendliness increases.

Still further, according to the present invention, only by an operationof the joystick, the user can shift designating means for designating anitem which indicates each navigation function, and can change a shiftingspeed of the designating means. As a result, user-friendlinessincreases.

Still further, according to the present invention, it is possible, bythe use of a single joystick, to perform an operation of changing anumber of each digit of numerical data such as a telephone number, apost code, latitude and longitude information or position information,an operation of shifting a digit, and an operation of fixing thenumerical data so that user-friendliness and, especially, an inputtingspeed increases. Moreover, when inputting a number of each digit, it isnot necessary to perform a pressing operation, and as a result it ispossible to prevent a misoperation of leaning the joystick by mistakewhile inputting numbers and thereby shifting a cursor to another digit.

1. A navigation apparatus mounted in a vehicle, said apparatuscomprising: a display; a joystick adapted to being leaned in a pluralityof predetermined directions, rotated about a longitudinal axial line ofsaid joystick, and depressed in a direction along the axial line; andcontrol means for changinga controller configured to change a displaystate of said display according to a motion of said joystick.
 2. Thenavigation apparatus of claim 1, wherein a map is displayed on saiddisplay, and said control means controller rotates the map when saidjoystick is rotated about the axial line.
 3. The navigation apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein a map is displayed on said display, and said controlmeans controller changes a scale of the map when said joystick isrotated about the axial line while being depressed in the direction ofthe axial line.
 4. The navigation apparatus of claim 3, wherein saidcontrol means controller increases a displayed scale of the map whensaid joystick is rotated to one side about the axial line while beingdepressed in the direction of the axial line, and decreases a displayedscale of the map when said joystick is rotated to the other side aboutthe axial line while being depressed in the direction of the axial line.5. The navigation apparatus of claim 1, wherein a map is displayed onsaid display; and said control means controller scrolls the map whensaid joystick is leaned, and changes a scrolling speed of the map whensaid joystick is pressed in the direction of the axial line while beingleaned.
 6. The navigation apparatus of claim 1, further comprisingdesignating means for selecting and designating a selecting anddesignating unit configured to select and designate a navigationfunction from among a plurality of predetermined navigation functions,wherein: items corresponding to the navigation functions and saiddesignating means selecting and designating unit are displayed on saiddisplay; and said control means controller shifts said designating meansselecting and designating unit when said joystick is leaned, and changesa shifting speed of said designating means selecting and designatingunit when said joystick is depressed in the direction of the axial linewhile being leaned.
 7. The navigation apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising data inputting means for inputting an input unit configuredto input numerical data, wherein: a cursor for designating and inputtingthe numerical data is displayed on said display; and said control meanscontroller increments and decrements a number designated by the cursorwhen said joystick is rotated about the axial line, shifts a digitdesignated by the cursor when said joystick is leaned, and fixesinputted numerical data when said joystick is depressed in the directionof the axial line.
 8. The navigation apparatus of claim 7, wherein thenumerical data is a telephone number.
 9. The navigation apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the numerical data is a post code.
 10. The navigationapparatus of claim 7, wherein the numerical data is latitude andlongitude information.
 11. The navigation apparatus of claim 7, whereinthe numerical data is position information, which is encoded positiondata of a specific location.
 12. The navigation apparatus of claim 7,wherein said control means controller increments a number designated bythe cursor when said joystick is rotated to one side about the axialline, and decrements a number designated by the cursor when saidjoystick is rotated to the other side about the axial line.
 13. Thenavigation apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control means controllercomprises an operation detector for detecting each motion of saidjoystick.
 14. The navigation apparatus of claim 13, wherein saidoperation detector comprises a rotation detector for detecting when saidjoystick is rotated about the axial line, a lean detector for detectingwhen said joystick is leaned, and a press detector for detecting whensaid joystick is depressed in the direction of the axial line.
 15. Thenavigation apparatus of claim 14, wherein said rotation detectorcomprises a rotary encoder including a plurality of photocouplers fordetecting a rotation angle of said joystick.
 16. The navigationapparatus of claim 14, wherein said lean detector comprises a pluralityof switches for detecting when said joystick is leaned in one of theplurality of predetermined directions.
 17. The navigation apparatus ofclaim 14, wherein said press detector comprises a spring switch fordetecting when said joystick is depressed in the direction of the axialline.
 18. A navigation apparatus mounted in a vehicle, said apparatuscomprising: a display unit; a joystick adapted to being leaned in aplurality of predetermined directions, rotated about a longitudinalaxial line of said joystick, and depressed in a direction along theaxial line; and a control unit operable to change a display state ofsaid display unit according to a motion of said joystick.
 19. Thenavigation apparatus of claim 18, wherein a map is displayed on saiddisplay unit, and said control unit is operable to rotate the map whensaid joystick is rotated about the axial line.
 20. The navigationapparatus of claim 18, wherein a map is displayed on said display unit,and said control unit is operable to change a scale of the map when saidjoystick is rotated about the axial line while being depressed in thedirection of the axial line.
 21. The navigation apparatus of claim 20,wherein said control unit is operable to increase a displayed scale ofthe map when said joystick is rotated to one side about the axial linewhile being depressed in the direction of the axial line, and todecrease a displayed scale of the map when said joystick is rotated tothe other side about the axial line while being depressed in thedirection of the axial line.
 22. The navigation apparatus of claim 18,wherein a map is displayed on said display unit, and said control unitis operable to scroll the map when said joystick is leaned, and tochange a scrolling speed of the map when said joystick is depressed inthe direction of the axial line while being leaned.
 23. The navigationapparatus of claim 18, further comprising a designator operable toselect and designate a navigation function from among a plurality ofpredetermined navigation functions, wherein: items corresponding to thenavigation functions and said designator are displayed on said displayunit; and said control unit is operable to shift said designator whensad joystick is leaned, and to change a shifting speed of saiddesignator when said joystick is depressed in the direction of the axialline while being leaned.
 24. The navigation apparatus of claim 18,further comprising a data inputting device operable to input numericaldata, wherein: a cursor is displayed on said display unit; and saidcontrol unit is operable to increment and decrement a number designatedby the cursor when said joystick is rotated about the axial line, toshift a digit designated by the cursor when said joystick is leaned, andto fix inputted numerical data when said joystick is depressed in thedirection of the axial line.
 25. The navigation apparatus of claim 24,wherein the numerical data is a telephone number.
 26. The navigationapparatus of claim 24, wherein the numerical data is a post code. 27.The navigation apparatus of claim 24, wherein the numerical data islatitude and longitude information.
 28. The navigation apparatus ofclaim 24, wherein the numerical data is position information, which isencoded position data of a specific location.
 29. The navigationapparatus of claim 24, wherein said control unit is operable toincrement a number designated by the cursor when said joystick isrotated to one side about the axial line, and to decrement a numberdesignated by the cursor when said joystick is rotated to the other sideabout the axial line.
 30. The navigation apparatus of claim 18, whereinsaid control means controller comprises an operation detector fordetecting each motion of said joystick.
 31. The navigation apparatus ofclaim 30, wherein said operation detector comprises a rotation detectorfor detecting when said joystick is rotated about the axial line, a leandetector for detecting when said joystick is leaned, and a pressdetector for detecting when said joystick is depressed in the directionof the axial line.
 32. The navigation apparatus of claim 30, whereinsaid rotation detector comprises a rotary encoder including a pluralityof photocouplers for detecting a rotation angle of said joystick. 33.The navigation apparatus of claim 30, wherein said lean detectorcomprises a plurality of switches for detecting whether said joystick isleaned in one of the plurality of predetermined directions.
 34. Thenavigation apparatus of claim 30, wherein said press detector comprisesa spring switch for detecting when said joystick is depressed in thedirection of the axial line.
 35. A map display apparatus comprising: adisplay unit operable to display a map thereon; and an input unitoperable to carry out a first input for instruction of scrolling adisplay of the map displayed on said display unit, and a second inputfor instruction of an increase or decrease of a scale of the map inaccordance with a rotation direction of a rotation operation of saidinput unit while said input unit is being depressed, said input unitbeing adapted to be rotated about a longitudinal axial line of saidinput unit.
 36. The map display apparatus of claim 35, wherein the scaleof the map is increased in response to a clockwise rotation operation ofsaid input unit and is decreased in response to a counterclockwiserotation operation of said input unit.
 37. The map display apparatus ofclaim 35, wherein a size of the scale of the map is determined inaccordance with a rotation amount of the rotation operation of saidinput unit.
 38. The map display apparatus of claim 35, wherein while thefirst input is being carried out, scrolling in a predetermined directionis continued.
 39. A map display apparatus comprising: a display unitoperable to display a map thereon; an input unit operable to carry outan instruction of scrolling a display of the map displayed on saiddisplay unit, said input unit being adapted to be rotated about alongitudinal axial line of said input unit; a rotation detection partoperable to detect a rotation operation of said input unit while saidinput unit is being depressed; and a control unit operable to, when saidrotation detection part detects the rotation operation of said inputunit, increase or decrease a scale of the map in accordance with arotation direction of the rotation operation of said input unit.
 40. Themap display apparatus of claim 39, wherein the scale of the map isincreased in response to a clockwise rotation operation of said inputunit and is decreased in response to a counterclockwise rotationoperation of said input unit.
 41. The map display apparatus of claim 39,wherein a size of the scale of the map is determined in accordance witha rotation amount of the rotation operation of said input unit.
 42. Amap display apparatus comprising: a display unit operable to display amap thereon; an input unit operable to carry out an instruction ofscrolling a display of the map displayed on said display unit, saidinput unit being adapted to be rotated about a longitudinal axial lineof said input unit; a rotation detection part operable to detect arotation operation of said input unit while said input unit is beingdepressed, said rotation detection part being operable to detect arotation in accordance with a rotation change amount without fixing astarting position of the rotation; and a control unit operable to, whensaid rotation detection part detects the rotation operation of saidinput unit in accordance with the rotation change amount, increase ordecrease a scale of the map in accordance with a rotation direction ofthe rotation operation of said input unit.